San Juan Vineyards 2013 Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $20

Grapes for some of the Pacific Northwest’s top aromatic wines have been grown on Yvonne Swanberg’s property near Friday Harbor since 1996, but she and her new winemaker, Chris Lawler, rely on Eastern Washington vineyards for their red program. This juicy and bright Merlot brings aromas and flavors of Marionberry taffy, sweet black cherry and anise with underpinnings of bittersweet chocolate tannins, raspberry acidity and toast.